Biden Steps Aside and Gives Democracy a Fighting Chance
Reflections on a momentous decision and the Democratic presidential nominee.
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Many speculated, some predicted, but no one could say for sure until Sunday night.
That’s when President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee for president said he was dropping out of the 2024 election.
He will finish out his term as president and let the party select a new nominee, but he has already endorsed his Vice President, Kamala Harris, for the position.
The last incumbent president to elect not to seek re-election was Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968.
Amid the swirl of thoughts upon hearing the news, I plucked out a few to share with you.
Way to Go Joe
President Biden faced the end of his political career head on and when he had to decide, he chose not for himself but for the good of the party and the populace.
The Republican nominee, Donald Trump and the party that has completely fallen in line behind him, poses an existential threat to democracy. They’ve laid it out in a plan for Trump’s regime called Project 2025.
Those who want to see the United States remain a democratic republic and not a white Christian nationalist autocracy have to muster all their creativity and courage to meet the challenge of beating Trump at the polls in November.
Biden knew the stakes, and despite the fact that he has spent half a century in public service, culminating in winning the presidency, he willingly chose to step down.
The Democratic party should hype up this act and contrast it with Trump every chance they get.
In Harris’ statement responding to Biden’s decision she called his action “selfless and patriotic.”
By stepping away from the campaign, Biden stepped up as a symbol of patriotism and the exact opposite of the self-serving, autocratic Trump.
Joe Stepped In It
Biden put party over ambition, but he also put himself in a difficult position.
His calamitous debate performance in June set off alarms even among his supporters about his age and frailty. Subsequent appearances and speeches did little to quell the concerns.
His support of Israel as their military under the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu perpetrate genocide against the Palestinian people has seen Biden hemorrhage support, especially among young people.
With growing calls from within the party and among supporters nationwide, Biden would have been running a mortally wounded campaign with a strong chance of losing to Trump.
#WinWithBlackWomen
With the largest question settled, now the next critical question becomes relevant—who will capture the Democratic party’s nomination.
One of the trending hashtags on Sunday night was #WinWithBlackWomen—a nod to the current Vice President.
Kamala Harris is the clear choice for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Harris makes the most sense as the Democratic nominee for a number of logistical and demographic reasons.
First, she is the easiest person to transfer the $96 million raised for the Biden/Harris ticket. That money cannot be directly transferred to any other person besides Harris, although it can be re-purposed for other uses.
Second, Harris would be the first woman and the first Black and Southeast Asian woman President of the United States.
The time is long overdue for a woman to claim the title of Chief-Executive-Officer, and many people would rally behind Harris as a woman who, first as Vice President, and now as the potential Democratic nominee, has never come closer to the office.
Nothing, however, is settled until she has officially earned the requisite number of delegates.
The Democratic National Convention (DNC) starts on August 19 in Chicago. That’s where the matter could finally be decided unless party leaders push for a virtual roll call prior to the convention.
Listen to Black Voters
Third, the costs in Democratic voter support are far too high if Harris is not the presidential nominee.
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), who chaired the January 6th Select Committee, said if the party hops over Harris for the nomination, it could “be the kiss of death for the party.”
Anecdotally, it appears that many Black Democratic voters, whatever their particular issues with Harris’ record, are ready to mobilize in support of her and would see the racism and betrayal behind picking another candidate over her.
Who Will Be the VP Pick?
A question that is perhaps less immediate but no less interesting is who might be the next vice presidential nominee and Harris’ running mate.
In an informal straw poll I took on Instagram, the following names repeatedly came up:
Andy Beshear- Gov. of Kentucky
Pete Buttigieg- Secretary of Transportation
Josh Shapiro- Gov. of Pennsylvania
Mark Kelly- Senator from Arizona
Roy Cooper- Gov. of North Carolina
Gretchen Whitmer- Gov. of Michigan
My conjecture is the party will indeed look for a “Midwest White Guy.” They will want someone who can appeal to white voters in swing states such as Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
They’ll also need someone who matches well against J.D. Vance, Trump’s newly announced pick for running mate.
In addition, given the fact that the U.S. has not elected a single woman as president in its history, an all woman ticket, no matter how (over) qualified for the job, would have a very difficult time winning.
And Kamala Harris, as a Black woman, will face the society’s twin evils of racism and sexism.
By extension all Black women will be face questions, mocking, and cruelty. We must be prepared to stand strong with Black women who have already borne the burden of our blunders far too many times.
Once again we put this nation in an impossible position. Once again, Black women are called upon to save us from ourselves.
It’s not fair or right; it’s simply the reality.
Tough But Necessary
Biden suspending his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination was a tough but necessary move.
The debate wasn’t a fluke.
While he has an accomplished record as president, as a candidate, he lost a step.
Even people who would never vote for Trump were grumbling and resentful. It was going to damage turnout in November.
Joe had to go.
Now, for the first time since the debate debacle, there’s a sense of energy and the hope that comes with feeling like democracy has a fighting chance.
But don’t rest yet.
Biden’s decision was not an end, simply the beginning of another scrappy, unpredictable phase of an already historic and portentous presidential election season.
What are your thoughts on President Biden’s decision and who should be the Democratic presidential nominee? Share in the comments.
If you want to know what perseverance looks like in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, learn the stories of faith, race, and resistance in “The Spirit of Justice.” Available for pre-order now.
As a resident of PA, my immediate thought was "...and Josh Shapiro for VP". Between the two of them he and Harris really do cover all the bases. Hoping it might come true. Meanwhile thanks and kudos to President Biden for making what must have been a heartbreaking decision. Prayers for him and his family, and for the VP and her family.
Beautifully said. Treena and I wrote him an email straight away admiring his incredible move ... truly self sacrificing. And it is so wonderful he did this so a Black woman could step up.